Generators having rotors that provide alternate magnetic circuits

Abstract

A generator includes a stator that has permanent magnets that complete a magnetic circuit across a series of gaps and through a generator coil. The rotor also includes permanent magnets that complete a magnetic circuit across a gap and through a rotor coil. When the rotor poles align with the stator poles, the stator and rotor magnetic circuits are broken, and new magnetic circuits are completed between the stator and rotor permanent magnets that cross the gap between the stator and rotor poles. A rotor coil can be used to boost the attraction/repulsion between the rotor and stator magnets. Alternating between these magnetic circuits as the prime mover rotates the rotor generates electricity.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A generator comprising:
 stator comprising:
 a generator coil wrapped around a generator core; 
 a first magnetic flux element having a first stator pole,
 wherein the first magnetic flux element is magnetically coupled to a first end of the generator core across a first gap having a first reluctance; 
 
 a first magnetic flux donor that donates magnetic flux having a first polarity to the first magnetic flux element; 
 a second magnetic flux element having a second stator pole,
 wherein the second magnetic flux element is magnetically coupled to a second end of the generator core across a second gap having a second reluctance; and 
 
 a second magnetic flux donor that donates magnetic flux having a second polarity, opposite to the first polarity, to the second magnetic flux element; and 
 
 a rotor comprising:
 a third magnetic flux element having first and second rotor poles; 
 a rotor coil wrapped around the third magnetic flux element, wherein the third magnetic flux element has a third gap that is at least partially disposed within the rotor coil; 
 a third magnetic flux donor that donates magnetic flux having the second polarity to the third magnetic flux element; and 
 a fourth magnetic flux donor that donates magnetic flux having the first polarity to the third magnetic flux element, and 
 
 wherein the generator has a fourth gap between the first stator pole and the first rotor pole when the first rotor pole is substantially aligned with the first stator pole, and 
 wherein the first reluctance is greater than a reluctance of the fourth gap when the first rotor pole is substantially aligned with the first stator pole. 
 
     
     
       2. The generator of  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth magnetic flux donors are permanent magnets. 
     
     
       3. The generator of  claim 1 , wherein the third magnetic flux donor comprises a permanent magnet magnetically coupled to the third magnetic flux element on a same side of the rotor coil as a third rotor pole. 
     
     
       4. The generator of  claim 3 , wherein the fourth magnetic flux donor comprises a permanent magnet magnetically coupled to the third magnetic flux element on a same side of the rotor coil as a fourth rotor pole. 
     
     
       5. The generator of  claim 4 , further comprising a magnetic flux yoke that completes a magnetic circuit between magnetic flux of the second polarity from the third magnetic flux donor and magnetic flux of the first polarity from the fourth magnetic flux donor. 
     
     
       6. The generator of  claim 1 , wherein the third and fourth magnetic flux donors comprise a permanent magnet disposed within the third gap. 
     
     
       7. The generator of  claim 1 , further comprising a magnetic flux yoke, magnetically coupled to the first and second ends of the generator core. 
     
     
       8. The generator of  claim 1 , wherein the stator comprises an odd number of pole pairs. 
     
     
       9. The generator of  claim 1 , wherein the rotor comprises an odd number of pole pairs.